Six Reasons Why The Wall Is Holy

The Western Wall is at the root of the Jewish nation.

The Western Wall is a surviving remnant of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, which was destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE. The Temple was the center of the spiritual world, the main conduit for the flow of Godliness. When the Temple stood, the world was filled with awe of God and appreciation for the genius of the Torah.

Jewish tradition teaches that all of creation began in Jerusalem. The epicenter is Mount Moriah, known by mystics as "the watering stone." The name "Moriah" is actually a play on words: "Moriah is the place from which Torah instruction (horah) goes forth; from where fear of heaven (yirah) goes forth; from where light (orah) goes forth."

It is here, on Mount Moriah, that Isaac was bound for sacrifice. And it is here that his son Jacob dreamed of the ladder ascending to heaven.

Although other parts of the Temple Mount retaining wall remain standing, the Western Wall is especially dear, as it is the spot closest to the Holy of Holies, the central focus of the Temple.

2) Eternal Symbol

The Sages prophesied that even after the Temple's destruction, the Divine Presence would never leave the Western Wall, and that the Wall will never be destroyed. The Wall is endowed with everlasting sanctity, as the Talmud says: "And I will make your sanctuaries desolate" (Leviticus 26:31) – this means that the sanctuaries retain their sanctity even when they are desolate.

Jerusalem was destroyed and rebuilt nine times. And through it all, one symbol remained intact: the Western Wall.

In establishing the eternal covenant with Abraham, God promised that the Jewish people will never be destroyed (Genesis 17:7). In this way, the Wall is a symbol of the Jewish people: Just as there have been many efforts to destroy the Wall and yet it remains eternal, so too the Jewish people have outlived its enemies and remain eternal. The Wall thus became the symbol of both devastation and of hope.

As Mark Twain wrote: "...Other peoples have sprung up and held their torch high for a time, but it burned out, and they sit in twilight now, or have vanished. The Jew saw them all, beat them all... All things are mortal but the Jew; all other forces pass, but he remains. What is the secret of his immortality?"

3) Place of Pilgrimage and Tears

Three thousand years ago, King David purchased Mount Moriah and made Jerusalem his capital. His son Solomon built the Holy Temple, and the entire Jewish nation gathered together three times each year on the pilgrimage festivals.

Jerusalem became the focus of the non-Jewish world as well. Ancient maps show Jerusalem at the epicenter of Asia, Europe and Africa. Non-Jews, drawn by a magnetic spiritual power, brought offerings to the Temple. When King Solomon built the Temple, he specifically asked God to heed the prayers of non-Jews who come to the Temple (1-Kings 8:41-43). In the words of the prophet Isaiah, this was "a house of prayer for all nations."

The service in the Holy Temple during the week of Sukkot featured a total of 70 bull offerings, corresponding to each of the 70 nations of the world. In fact, the Talmud says that if the Romans (who destroyed the Temple) would have realized how much benefit they received from the Temple, they never would have destroyed it.

During the 1,900-year exile, Jews would travel to Jerusalem at great expense and danger, just to have the chance to pray at the Wall. In the face of disease, lack of water, and marauding bandits, the Jews refused to abandon Jerusalem. Barred by law or wiped out by Crusaders, the Jews always returned.

The Talmud teaches that when the Temple was destroyed, all the Gates of Heaven were closed, except for one: the Gate of Tears. At the Wall, Jews have always poured their hearts out to God. Thus it became known as the "Wailing Wall" because of the centuries of endless tears, shed by Jews yearning to rebuild Jerusalem.

4) Focus of Prayers

Three times a day, for thousands of years, Jewish prayers from around the world have been directed toward the Temple Mount.

Kabbalistic tradition says that all prayers from around the world ascend to this spot, from where they then ascend to heaven. The Talmud says: "If someone is praying outside the Land of Israel, he should direct his heart in the direction of Israel. When praying within Israel, direct the heart toward Jerusalem. Those in Jerusalem should direct their hearts to the Temple.

Throughout the millennia, Jews from far reaches of the globe have turned in prayer toward Jerusalem. At each Jewish wedding, the groom breaks a glass to commemorate the destruction of the Holy Temple. And we close each Passover Seder with the resonating words – "Next Year in Jerusalem."

As Rabbi Judah HaLevy poignantly said: "I am in the west, but my heart is in the east (Jerusalem)."

5) Built with Love and Dedication

A popular Jewish legend records:

When the Temple was being built, the work was divided among different sectors of the population. The building of the Western Wall fell to the poor, and they worked hard to construct it, as they could not afford to hire laborers to do their work for them.

When the enemy destroyed the Temple, the angels descended from on high and – spreading their wings over the Wall – said: "This Wall, the work of the poor, shall never be destroyed." (from "Legends of the Land of Israel")

6) Site of Jewish Heroism

When the First and Second Temples were destroyed, and during the Bar Kochba revolt, Israel's heroes fought like lions for every stone of the Temple. When the Maccabees defeated the Syrian-Greeks, the first thing they did was to purify the Temple and light the holy Menorah. This has served as the example of Jewish bravery ever since.

In the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, when the ceasefire lines were drawn, Jerusalem was divided and Jews were once again banished from the Western Wall, permitted only to gaze across the barbed wire from afar... across the endless expanse of time.

In the Six Day War, Israeli paratroopers entered the Old City through the Lion's Gate. "Har Habayit b'Yadeinu!" – came the triumphant cry – "The Temple Mount is in our hands!" Amidst shofar blasts, grown men wept and danced at the Western Wall. After 2,000 years, Jerusalem was finally united under Jewish control, with free access for all.

The Western Wall is no mere historical asset. It is the Jewish root – the deepest roots that any people has. Elsewhere, we grope for insight. At the Western Wall, As we water the Wall with our tears and melted the stones with our kisses, we achieve clarity and define who we are, as God's eternal nation.

Written by Rabbi Shraga Simmons. Based partly on "The Western Wall" (Israeli Ministry of Defense)

Featured at Aish.com:

About the Author

Rabbi Shraga Simmons grew up trekking through snow in Buffalo, New York, enjoying summers as a tour guide at Niagara Falls. He holds a degree in journalism from the University of Texas at Austin, and rabbinic ordination from the Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem. He is the co-founder of Aish.com, and founder of the Torah study site, JewishPathways.com. He is also the co-founder of HonestReporting.com, and author of "David & Goliath", the definitive treatment of media bias against Israel (2012). He lives with his wife and children in the Modi'in region of Israel.

The opinions expressed in the comment section are the personal views of the commenters. Comments are moderated, so please keep it civil.

Visitor Comments: 45

(41)
Shlomo Scheinman,
July 10, 2016 8:53 PM

The Kotel is not part of the Halachic Temple Mount Wall

The Midrash refers to the wall of the Heichal Building of the Temple Mount and not the Kotelמדרש תנחומא (בובר) פרשת שמות סימן י

אמר ר' אחא, לעולם אין השכינה זזה מכותל מערבי של בית המקדש, שנאמר הנה זה עומד אחר כתלנו (שה"ש =שיר השירים= ב ט), הוי ה' בהיכל קדשו.2. Part of the Kotel is situated on a valley that was filled in by the dynasty of Herod. The Halachic walls of the Temple Mount were all on Mount Moriah.3. Coins from the Herodian Dynasty Family were found in mikvas that were filled in, under the Wall of the Kotel. Thus indicating that the wall was built only a relatively short time before the Temple's destruction and thus is also indicated in the Historical Writings of Josephus Flavius.4. The building style on the west and the south are similar (as opposed to parts of the eastern wall) Thus indicating they were both built more or less at the same time. It would be much easier to explain, the traditional view of the size of a cubit as well as our strong tradition of where the Holy of Holies was located, if we do not demand the Herodian Walls to be part of the Halachic Temple Mount. See Mishna 2:1 for further background on the problem of using the current walls.5 The walls of all 4 sides of the Temple Mount complex today form a trapezoid shape. No matter what size you assign to a cubit, you don't have the walls fitting into the Sages description of the Halachic Temple Mount Walls as being 500 cubits length and 500 cubits width. In addition the eastern wall (of today's Temple Mount) is not truly parallel to the western wall.

The western Wall Is considerate most sacred. I wished to see it with my family one day.

(35)
Karen,
May 29, 2015 8:35 PM

I feel the Holyness of this wall

I feel the Holiness of the Wall as I see the pictures and read the wall's history. I know why it is called Wailing Wall as I sit here in tears all the way from the USA.

(34)
Lily,
April 15, 2015 3:31 PM

Prayers in Wailing Wall

I have always desired to have my prayers placed in the Wailing Wall but did not know how to achieve it. My prayer has been answered because God made it possible for me as I do not have money to go to Israel. How I love my God for His mercies which is new every morning.

Excellent explanation . Almost know all, but there are a few new things I learned. Thanks .

(32)
Tola Aina,
December 24, 2014 10:35 PM

appreciated info

Insightful information on the wailing wall. Hoping some day I shall be there with my entrire family to offer prayers on this holy site to the Lord of Lords. The creator of the heaven and the earth and my/our prayers shall be speedily answered

(31)
Olusegun,
November 2, 2014 10:12 PM

peace

peace be on to isreal.

(30)
Anonymous,
October 19, 2014 11:44 AM

I have liked this information so much. But why do some people refer to the wall as a remnant of King Herod's temple and not that of King Solomon's Temple?

Laine Frajberg,
October 21, 2015 4:23 AM

The Western Wall is not a Remnant of Either Temple.

The Western Wall was a part of neither Solomon's Temple (circa 970 BCE) or the Second Temple constructed under the supervision of Ezra,Nehemia,and Zerubavel (circ 515 BCE).When King Herod began his expansion and renovation of the Second Temple (20 BCE),he built retaining walls to support the enlarged structure.The Western Wall was one of the retaining walls.Its closeness to the holy of holies accounts for its sanctity.

(29)
Curtis Keeton,
August 13, 2014 4:16 AM

The Wailing Wall

People have been coming to the wall for thousands of years, praying, crying and leaving words of prayers in the wall. My question is - where do all the pieces of paper go to?. Do they destroy themselves, are flushed out and destroyed or do they just automatically destroy themselves???? Thank you for your information... I plan on visiting the wall in the near future - time and money permits....

Anonymous,
April 21, 2015 4:39 AM

I asked this question when I visited the wall last summer and I was told that there are a group of women who pick up the papers that fall on the ground and bury them, so they never leave the area.

(28)
kanayo,
July 22, 2014 12:29 PM

I pray for the peace of jerusalem and her prosperity

(27)
Mercy,
July 6, 2014 4:18 PM

the wall

I pray that some day me and my 3 teens would visit there sometime that is my desire and to visit the wall

(26)
John Luginaah,
June 17, 2014 12:57 PM

Meaning for worship

Thanks, your information is giving meaning for worship

(25)
Sharon,
December 19, 2013 4:36 AM

Great Information

Thank you for the information your provide. I hope one day visit this most Holy Place. There is no place on earth I believe like Jerusalem. May she be Blessed with Peace and Prosperity. Thank you for being the 'Window on the Wall', it is greatly appreciated and needed. Shalom! :)

(24)
Annes,
October 10, 2013 6:59 AM

Wonderful..

God willing I would love to visit this place..

(23)
JASPER MOHAN,
July 17, 2013 1:41 AM

nice information on Jerusalem wall.

Our eternal God will protect Jerusalem and Israel !

(22)
Colin,
January 2, 2013 10:31 AM

We are visiting in April 2013

Thanks for the information and history about the wall.

(21)
Sydney,
December 13, 2012 6:57 AM

Holy sight indeed

Thanks for sharing and I'm planning to visit soon.

delene tammadge,
July 10, 2013 7:41 AM

walling wall

Thank You for ths great information. i have been to Iarael many times and been to the western wall many times, and GOD always answered my prayers.........THE GOD OF ABRAHAM JACOB AND ISAACK STILL REIGHNS FOR EVER .....

(20)
brian,
June 20, 2012 10:19 AM

holy wall

I have never visited this place but hearsd a lot about it. I will visit this place one day.

ROBERT,
July 10, 2013 10:11 AM

I WISH I WERE THERE

I TOO WILL MAKE ALIAH ONE DAY

(19)
Sunita,
February 15, 2012 8:25 PM

Very Informative

Thank you for sharing such good information. I love and pray for the peace of Jerusalem/Israel. Learned much today, am sure I'll be visiting more often now that I discovered this wonderful website.

(18)
Stacey,
November 7, 2011 12:36 AM

Very informative reading. Learned more about this Holy site than I previously knew. Such a interesting history. It truly is a sacred place. Hope to visit there some day.

(17)
Anonymous,
August 9, 2010 9:47 AM

Thank you!

I have learned many things of the Western Wall of which I never knew. Thank you so much for providing this teaching to a homesick Israelite.

(16)
Mike Samuels,
August 9, 2009 12:06 AM

awsome

I live in the USA and last year i went to Israel and when i went to the Wall i was in awe at its size and all of its history. I love Israel and its people, I cant wait to go back,Bless all and peace to you

(15)
Nick Asher,
November 19, 2007 8:18 PM

My love for Jerusalem and the Temple Wall

Great informative and enjoyable reading.Although living in the USA and have notvisited Israel, my heart,thoughts and prayers is always there.

(14)
Susan Fakterowitz,
October 4, 2007 10:18 AM

Aish.com is a great website

Love your web site. Use it as a resource for my lesson plans for my 4th grade sunday school class. I was thrilled to see that membership is based in Lakewood NJ. I grew up there and so did my Rabbi. Thanks.

(13)
Derek Fisher,
May 7, 2007 3:44 AM

Factual and very interesting.

I found , as I do with all your articles, this to be a very good and absorbing read.I intend to use the facts and quotes in the day centre where I work.The Holy City should be exalted forever and the more the city is praised and talked about the longer the legacy shall live.

(12)
MARIAELVIRARIBEIRO,
November 27, 2006 8:45 AM

RABBY SHRAGA SIMMONS IS REALLYAN IMMENSE PLEASURES IN HAVING ACCESS EVERYDAY TO SITE AISH. HAS BEEN FORME AND TREMENDOUS INFORMACION,HAS EVERY DAY ACCESS WALL CAMERA AND THUS TO BE ABBLETO SEE MINE SO DEAR YERUSHALEM,, AND TO CONTAIN TO THE HOMESICKNESSES THAT Y FEEL OF OURS LOVED YSRAEL. ITS ARTICLES HAVE BEEN A WONDER FOR METHANK YOU SO MUCH SLALOM MARIA ELVIRA LACERDA [MEL]BRASIL

(11)
rod hershey,
June 8, 2005 12:00 AM

good article gave me a lot of information i would not found anywhere else will tell my friends to read it too

(10)
angelique,
May 6, 2005 12:00 AM

I wish to thank you for your beautiful article about the holiness of the wailing wall. I have always believed that the strength of the ancient wall, which still stands after 3000 years, is a testament to the same strength that resides in the jewish traditions. You have suffered much in the distant past and not so distant past and yet you remain strong just like the temple wall. May G-d bless you and may peace come to Israel.

(9)
farias,
January 16, 2005 12:00 AM

beautifull

Beautifull this text.Thanks to learn me so much every week. I said to my achim the necessity to read this wonderfull site .Shalom. Farias,Brazil.

(8)
michael,
November 21, 2004 12:00 AM

God bless Israel, and Israel bless God.

(7)
LIJO PHILIP,
November 11, 2004 12:00 AM

God is with Israel.

I am a christian from India. Though I have been taught by my community and Bible about Isreal and jewish as "WICKED" because of the assasination of Jesus Christ, I always love Israel and Jewish people. I think no other poeple in the world suffered as jewish. Christians, Arabs, Romans and many other hunted you. But still you survive and I strongly feel that it is only because you are "GODS OWN PEOPLE"

(6)
B Ramaswmi Naik,
November 5, 2004 12:00 AM

Biblical wittiness
We have planed to visit Israel in November 2004, some how it was cancelled. We are prying the god to give us way to visit Israel where presence of god is there. Through this (website) article we are able see the Holy places in Israel to enhance our faith in lord.
If god willing we will visit Israel and we will pray for Israel.
This was a wonderful article I am forwarding on to others also
May god bless Mr. Robbi Shraga Simmons.
We thanks to Israel ministry o Defense for publishing this Biblical wittiness

B R Naik
INDIA

(5)
David Abrahams,
November 4, 2004 12:00 AM

Understanding

Thank you for this article. I now understand more than ever the global significance. One day I plan to visit.

(4)
ulf skei,
September 28, 2004 12:00 AM

Truth

This was a wonderful summary of the faith of the chosen people, and I will certainly recommend this article to my friends.
Sincerely
U. Skei

(3)
Shirley,
December 20, 2003 12:00 AM

Yes, God's presence is definitely at the WALL

We made our first visit to Israel this past November. Everyone who asks me what did I like best about Israel, I had to tell them "The Western/Wailing Wall". I could tell them that the presence of God is there. I didn't want to leave. You couldn't stop the tears from flowing..But, unfortunately, our tour was moving on and we couldn't linger.
My husband and I are planning a return trip before long.
Our intentions when going, was to bless Israel... as this was one of two ways that Rabi Eikstien said to bless them (Go there - and pray for Israel) We were blessed instead!! Thank you for this web site and the information it contains. I am forwarding on to others also.
Shirley

(2)
Gemma,
June 20, 2003 12:00 AM

This is very useful and provides sufficient facts. This has taught me a lot. Thank you.